XXXTentacion murder suspect to get mental competency exam

One of the four men charged in connection with the June shooting death of rising rapper XXXTentacion in south Florida has been ordered to undergo a mental competency exam before proceeding to trial.

A document filed Monday in the Broward County Circuit Court says a judge has determined there are "reasonable grounds" to suspect Michael Boatwright, 22, is "not mentally competent" to face a trial on the first-degree murder charge against him.

The judge appointed experts to examine Boatwright and determine if he understands such matters as the charges against him, the possible penalties and whether he can assist in his defense and behave appropriately in court.

The document does not say why the judge has reason to question Boatwright's competency. His public defender of record, Gabriel Ermine in Fort Lauderdale, did not return a call from USA TODAY to discuss the matter.

In booking photo from the Broward County Sheriffs Office, Michael Boatwright, 22, a suspect in the shooting of rapper XXXTentacion.(Photo: Getty Images)

A message to a spokesperson for Broward County State Attorney Mike Satz also was not returned.

Police said the rapper's luxury sports car was blocked by another vehicle, and two masked gunmen approached; XXXTentacion was shot multiple times. The gunmen fled with a Louis Vuitton bag containing $50,000, police said.

Witnesses told Broward County sheriff's investigators that Boatwright and Newsome allegedly were the gunmen, but under Florida law all four men can face murder charges if they were involved in the shooting in some way.

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A six-hour, open-casket viewing was held for fans of South Florida rapper XXXTentacion, June 27, 2018, at the BB&T Center. Around a thousand fans, who came from all over, waited outside for a couple hours or longer to get in.
Andrea Melendez, The News-Press-USA TODAY NETWORK

XXXTentacion, 20, was shot and killed June 18 in an ambush robbery by gunmen after he shopped at a Deerfield Beach motorcycle store. Only one suspect has been arrested.
Andrea Melendez/The News-Press/USA Today

Fans and community members gather at the vigil for rap singer XXXTentacion in Deerfield Beach, Fla., near the site where he was killed. The 20-year-old rising star, whose real name is Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, was shot outside the motorcycle dealership on Monday, when two armed susp
Yutao Chen, AP